400 Years of Gold Mastery: Kanazawa’s Gold Leaf Artisans | SLICE

For over 400 years, Kanazawa has been the heart of gold leaf craftsmanship. This ancient art was brought to life during the Edo period when the Maeda overlords invited skilled artisans from Kyoto and Tokyo to settle in the city. Today, their legacy endures in the workshops that dot Kanazawa’s historic streets. One such artisan is Shigeru Yamazaki, a master gold leaf craftsman. Trained by a master himself, Shigeru now works alongside his wife, both dedicated to keeping this exquisite tradition alive. The process is painstakingly precise, done entirely by hand due to the delicate nature of gold leaf, which can be stretched to astonishing thinness. Mastering this craft takes at least a decade of practice, patience, and passion. Kanazawa’s gold leaf doesn’t just adorn temples and traditional crafts; it symbolizes the enduring spirit of a city committed to preserving its cultural treasures. Through artisans like Shigeru Yamazaki, the golden legacy of Kanazawa continues to shine, a testament to the art of transmission and the beauty of tradition. Documentary: A World of Colours – Japan in Yellow Directed by: Stéphane Jacques Production : ZED We fully own the rights to the use of the published content. Any illegal reproduction of this content will result in immediate legal action. SLICE wants to fill up your curiosity! Accessible to anyone from anywhere at any time, this channel is your weekly dose of short docs about curious facts, discoveries, astounding info, unusual stories, weird, fun and instructive. Be smart, have a slice! Subscribe now ►►► http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvziXdVCN7PMdFZEFZ6aEqQ?sub_confirmation=1 Become a fan ! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvziXdVCN7PMdFZEFZ6aEqQ/join Follow us 👇 In French: https://www.youtube.com/c/SLICEFR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slicedocs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slicedocs #documentary #slice #fulldocumentary #freedocumentary #craft #crafting #craftman #skill #transmission #heritage #artisan #amazing #delicate #gold #Japan #kanazawa